spinal headaches-when does the fluid stop leaking

[les33]

I had a procedure done two days ago where I was given an Epidural...since coming home, I've experienced headaches that come consistently when I sit up.  I wasn't too concerned because I thought "spinal headaches" were debilitating and these were uncomfortable, but not horrible.  I called my doctor's office to let them know I was having some headaches, and was informed that I was probably having spinal headaches, to drink lots of water (and some caffeine) and not be up too much.  All this has helped some, but now my question is this:
is there still fluid leaking?  How quickly does the leak stop and the CSF fluid balance out?

Thank you.

[linowa56]

I had lumbar sugery to a previous injury and had to have a disk removed, replacement disk, longer rods and more screws.  5 days after the surgery I at home and  started to have severe dyhdration drinking 15 glasses of water a day.  Within 10 days I started to  horrible knife stabbing headaches everytime I got up or even sat down.  I   Ended up in ER and was told it was maybe a spinal fluid leak.  I was told to take meds, have complete bed rest, drink lots of water and caffine.  and ware the brace thye gave me at all times unless sleeping.  Hate to say this,   but it took 6 weeks for the headaches to go away complet (3-4 weeks really bad).  This caused a setback to  my back surgery recovery because I did almost nothing for 5-6 weeks.  THe worst part was after the ER visit I was told by the dr when I went to see him 2 weeks after the ER visit.  I didn't have typical symptoms and to to just wait it out.  That he could go in and explore (blood patch was not an option) but it usualy don't help.  It was along recovery.  I Had MRI's Xays and they did not show anything except a spot of somekind of fluid..  The PA at the office told me at one point it was nothing more than a pocket of white blood cells near the incision and my body will absorb it.  The hard part was everyone more or less dismissed this and this was the worse pain I ever had.  I was beginning to think there was an error down at the time of surgery and would be like this forever.

[bev62]

I went thru the same thing after having a myelogram.  After three days I had to go a have a blood patch.  It was instant relief, but by the next day the headache was back.  So after two more days of that terrible headache I had to have another blood patch.  This time it took care of it.  Just try to lay flat as much as possible.  Good luck.

[Quixotic1]

Usually they give it at least 4 days before they consider a blood patch to heal it.  If your symptoms are not that severe and seem to be improving it will likely heal on it's own.  Do what they say and stay down.  Let people wait on you hand and foot!  Good luck. Quix